An event-condition-action approach for contextual interaction in virtual environments

Abstract

In order to support context-dependency in model-based development, three components need to be realised: Context Detection, Context Switching and Context Handling. Context detection is the process for detecting changes in context, while context switching brings the system in the new state that needs to be supported. Finally, context handling adapts the interaction possibilities to the current context. In this paper we discuss an approach for context detection and switching for virtual environments that is based on the Event-Condition-Action paradigm. Both context detection and switching are split-up and supported by our graphical notation for the design of multimodal interaction techniques. The main advantage of this approach is that we provide the designer with a flexible context system, supported by scalable diagrams. © 2008 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.